Authors: Nikki Vale
Please don’t let her change her mind about our arrangement because of her stupid, selfish little sister. I would hate to have to wring Dawn’s neck before Summer gets the chance.
“Cooper Talbott you’ve caused me so much trouble since I met you. First Hailey, and now my own sister. How can such a sweet, quiet man stir up so much drama?” she accuses looking at me. I’m a little embarrassed because she’s actually right. I’m the reason Hailey and Dawn are mad at her.
“I’m messing with you Cooper. Those two girls need to get over themselves. You and I aren’t even a couple,” Skye laughs. “So it’s settled. When I get out of the hospital I’m moving in with Cooper.”
Skye
It’s been a week since I woke up in the hospital and the doctors are finally ready to release me. Cooper already moved my stuff from Summer’s apartment and into his house. Summer assures me that Cooper’s house is nice and not some raunchy bachelor pad.
Jon seems taken aback when he found out about my new living arrangement he even tried to offer up his place when Summer reminded him that he lived in a second-floor apartment like she did. I don’t know if I’d want to live with Jon anyway. I trust Cooper when he says he’ll behave like a gentleman. Jon? Not so much.
Summer suddenly walks back into the hospital room. “One more trip and we should have all of your greenhouse, slash, toy store loaded into Cooper’s truck,” she says grabbing another load of flowers and stuffed animals.
James Miller and Jason Greene sent gifts. The whole Acorn Grove Police Department sent get well presents along with a lot of people who saw me perform for Dawn’s party. It was nice. I felt a little more accepted into the town. Too bad I had to go through so much to get it, and we still don’t know who tried to kill me.
Now that I’m leaving the hospital I feel a little more worried. I just recently found out that Cooper had an armed guard outside my door the whole time I’ve been here. He said he didn’t tell me because he didn’t want me to worry and he was right. Until now I actually forgot there was a threat to my life. I was spending my time concentrating on getting better.
Cooper has continued to visit every day. Jon stops by almost as much. Grandma Rose was finally able to make it to the hospital to visit me. She looked worn and pale. I told her that she needed to take care of herself and that I’d be to the house to visit her soon enough. I’ve not seen Dawn once since I woke up from my coma, but Summer comes as much as she can between work and school.
Nurse Mendoza comes in the room with my discharge papers. “I’m glad you’re well enough to go home, but I’m going to miss you Mija. You’re such a pleasant patient, and believe me, those are hard to come by,” she places the clipboard on my bed and leans in and gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I’m not supposed to do that, but I couldn’t help myself,” she shrugs smiling.
“Now sign here and here so your prince charming can wheel you away,” she indicates handing me the pen. As if on cue Cooper shows up at the door with a wheelchair.
“Are you ready?” he asks. Cooper’s standing there in his signature baseball cap, flannel shirt, blue jeans and cowboy boots. If the shirts weren’t different colors I’d swear he wears the same outfit every day. How his beard always looks the same length I’ll never know. Or maybe I will. I’m moving in with him. I smile to myself. I’m actually a little excited about this new adventure. I’ve never lived with a man before. I mean, I’m no virgin or anything but I’ve never had a relationship last long enough to get to the moving-in stage.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I finally reply. Nurse Mendoza helps me into the wheelchair. Summer comes back to the room.
“Hey, Coop,” Summer greets Cooper. She started calling him that lately. I’m not sure he likes it, but he doesn’t complain. “Would you mind grabbing the rest of the stuff, plus the crutches? I’ll push Skye out to the truck.
“Sure thing,” he says, allowing Summer to take over. I like the fact that Cooper is so flexible. We should get along just fine as roommates. “Summer you’re welcome to come visit Skye anytime you like,” he invites her.
“You bet your baby blues I’ll be over there anytime I have the hankering to see my big Sis,” she willfully remarks. “But thanks for the open invitation Coop,” she says appreciatively.
Cooper grabs the rest of the stuff and heads out to his truck ahead of us. “Are you sure you’re just friends with Cooper. I mean, he’s not my type but the man is gorgeous by anyone’s standards and even a blind man could see that he’s into you,” she asks once he’s out of hearing range.
“We’re just friends Summer. I feel safe with Cooper. I just don’t want to complicate things,” I explain.
“There you go being vague, but I know you. Cooper makes you feel safe as in you trust him with your safety but not with your heart. Please don’t let your hang-ups be the reason you keep a good man at arm’s length,” she chastises me.
“What hang ups? And why do I have to date the first man in this town that show’s any interest in me?” I demand exasperated.
“First of all, I’d say he’s the second, not the first. Second of all he’s the kindest, handsomest and not to mention, richest guy in this town,” she ticks off one finger. “And lastly, any woman in her right mind would be crawling on her knees begging to be with him.”
“You keep saying that! So why aren’t you crawling on your knees, Summer? You met him way before me,” I turn my head in the chair to get a good look at her as she pushes me. I see the sad expression on her face. “Awe sweetie. You’re already in love with someone else. Why didn’t you tell me?” I inquire with concern.
“Because he’s not available to love me back so there’s no point,” she responds quietly.
I try to think of the men I’ve seen Summer have contact with. Jon Dark Star is out of the question because she doesn’t like playboys. Mitch the bartender? Couldn’t be. I don’t even know the guys last name, if she had the hots for him I’d, at least, know that, wouldn’t I? We’ve already ruled out Cooper. I’ve got it.
“Jason Greene, the owner of AG’s Bar & Grill is the man that you’re in love with,” I calmly state. She looks at me with those sad eyes and nods her head. Still looking back at her, I see a tear slip down her face. “Oh honey, come here,” I tell her. She ceases pushing me in the wheelchair and stops a few feet short of the exit doors. She steps around the chair facing me and I hold out my arms to her.
Summer hesitates for a second but then she allows herself to lean into my embrace and be comforted. I’m still holding her and rubbing her back in soothing circles when Cooper walks through the automatic doors. He stands there silently, allowing us our moment.
“We’ll talk more about this later,” I promise her as I pull back from the hug giving her a look to let her know we have an audience. She catches the hint and quickly pulls it together.
“I’m glad you’re doing better Skye. You better take good care of my big sister Coop,” she says as she walks away in the opposite direction, never allowing Cooper the opportunity to view her tear stained cheeks.
Cooper doesn’t say a word he just walks up behind the wheelchair and pushes me out the door right up to the passenger side of his waiting truck. I bet Cooper sees a lot more than people give him credit for. He’s a quiet man and chooses to use words only when necessary, but he’s keen and perceptive. What I wouldn’t give to know what goes on in that head of his.
He has to be observant in his chosen career field, but it’s not just that. He seems to say the right things and react in the appropriate manner like he’s paying attention and he cares how you feel. I’ve witnessed this not just with me, but with everyone he interacts with.
“What?” he asks suddenly. I must have been staring at him hard trying to figure him out.
“Nothing,” I answer glibly.
Cooper opens the passenger side door of the truck and then he quickly scoops me up placing me in the cab. It happened so quick I barely had time to blink. I watch through the truck window as he runs the wheelchair back inside the hospital and runs back out, hopping into the driver’s side of the truck.
Okay. Things just got real. I feel my palms start to sweat and my knee is shaking as I wipe my hands on my jeans. I see Cooper looking at me out of the corner of my eye. I turn my head to face him and he’s got one eyebrow cocked up in question.
“What? So I’m a little nervous. I’ve never lived with a man before. Have you? A woman I mean. Of Course you have, look at you, you’re gorgeous. I mean you’re okay. I’ll just shut up now,” I say, dramatically shutting my mouth.
Cooper starts chuckling, the sound gets louder and louder until he’s actually laughing out loud. I cross my arms over my chest and stick out my bottom lip in a childish pout. He’s laughing at me!
“You’re so damn cute. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to laugh. Do you always word-vomit when you’re nervous?” he asks still shaking with mirth. I turn my head towards the window and ignore him, arms still crossed, lips still pouting.
I enjoy the rest of the two-minute drive in silence. Stupid small towns. I need more time to get my bearings, but we’re already here.
“Crap!” I hear Cooper mutter. I look at the gray ranch-style home. There’s a white extended-cab truck similar to Cooper’s blue one in the driveway.
“What’s wrong,” I ask confused.
He looks at me solemnly. “My parents are here.” As soon as he finishes that statement a petite brunette in her fifties comes running out the front door towards the truck. A tall gentleman with salt and pepper hair stands in the doorway waiting.
“Holy Hole in a donut Cooper,” I exclaim, and then I laugh.
The woman yanks Cooper’s door open. “Well don’t just sit there mooning over the girl. Bring her inside and introduce her to me and your father,” she says, gives me a quick wave and then runs back into the house. I guess I can’t blame her, it is freezing outside. I look at the expression of horror still frozen on Cooper’s face and I start to laugh hysterically.
Cooper jumps out of the truck and leaves me there. I instantly sober up trying to figure out how I’m going to make it to the house on crutches in the snow. My door suddenly swings open and once again Cooper sweeps me into his arms and carries me over the threshold of the house. He pauses just inside the door and stares silently into my eyes. The significance of the gesture isn’t lost me. I can feel my cheeks warming with a blush. I hear someone clear their throat and Cooper slowly lowers my feet to the ground.
“Here are your crutches,” Cooper comments, handing me the crutches that he must have placed against the wall inside the door of the house, when left me momentarily stranded in the truck. “I’m going to get the rest of your stuff from the truck and I’ll be right in,” he advises me.
I grab the crutches placing one under each arm. I take a moment to survey my surroundings. There’s a quaint family room with cream colored carpet and brown leather sofas. There’s even a fireplace with a fire crackling.
“In here dear,” I hear a woman call from the next room. It must be a kitchen. I hobble over to the room to see an old style kitchen with dark wood paneling on the walls and yellow vinyl with abstract designs on the kitchen floors. It’s sparkling clean but absolutely hideous. The petite brunette is fixing food at the stove.
“Hello dear. I’m Shirley Talbott and this is my husband Harold,” she introduces herself and her husband.
“Hi, Mrs. Talbott, and Mr. Talbott. I’m Skye Williams,” I say in response.
“I’m whipping up some dinner here just pull up a seat. Harold don’t just sit there help the poor girl,” she instructs him. Harold quickly jumps up from his seat and takes my crutches from me as I maneuver into a chair leaving myself enough room for my cast. My leg was broken in two places and I’m wearing a cast that extends from above my knee down to my toes.
“Really Harold?” Cooper’s mother scolds seeing my predicament. She leaves the food simmering on the stove and pulls another chair around to me and gently props my injured leg on it.
“Oh, thank you so much,” I say gratefully.
“You’re welcome dear. These men I tell you, they can’t do anything without detailed instructions,” she clicks her tongue, shaking her head in disgust.
Cooper walks into the kitchen and goes straight to his mother kissing her on the cheek. “Hey, Ma. Dinner smells delicious,” he says to her. He nods at his father in greeting then he gently lifts my leg out of the chair, sits down and places my foot in his lap. I look at him and his mother raises an eyebrow.
“What? There are only four chairs,” he explains.
“To what do I owe this surprise visit?” he asks cutting straight to the chase. His mother ignores him as she sets a roasted chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy and rolls on the table. Shirley sits down at the table silently passes us each a plate.
“Let us pray,” she says and we all bow our heads. “Thank you, Lord, for waking us up this morning to this beautiful day. Thank you for our families and friends and the many blessings we receive daily. Please bless this food we’re about to receive, in Jesus name. Amen.” She concludes. And we follow with our ‘Amen’ in unison.
“So, imagine my surprise when I hear it through the grapevine that a woman was moving in with my son. I said, no couldn’t be. Not, my Cooper, he would have told me. Well I heard it just one too many times to keep ignoring it so we decided to drop by and see for ourselves didn’t we Harold?” she says, her bright blue eyes landing on Cooper in accusation. I see where Cooper got his gorgeous eyes.